Proper Accessories Can Attract Attention

SHERRI WINSTON - Commentary

Skin tight, body-hugging dresses; pants that billow and float; body glitter ... My God! what did I do with my boa?

In the past, the most horrifying aspect of any New Year's Eve plans was getting the proper attire.

This year, I'm not too concerned. After all, it's not what you show, but what you know.

Listen, learn from `wise men'

It was a Saturday night and the bar was packed. "Some I.D., please," security said at the door.

Being that I felt older than Methuselah, I didn't bother with a driver's license. I merely showed him a version of The Old Testament - the one with my picture engraved on one of Moses' tablets.

Satisfied that I was of age, he allowed me to enter one of my favorite spots in all of downtown Atlanta: Fat Tuesday's.

Carefully, I chose an inconspicuous wall that gave me a full view for people watching.

Obviously, it wasn't inconspicuous enough.

"Girl, you know you got a cute thang going on."

Who? Me?

Instinctively I checked my watch. After all, it's no secret we all get a little prettier around last call. (If Revlon could bottle that!) But it was early, and the fun was just beginning.

Three young men of various shades of chocolate surrounded me. They were actively and aggressively monitoring their surroundings ... their female surroundings.

"Are you guys like talent scouts?" I asked.

"Exactly."They seemed genuinely pleased that I had picked up on their skills of observation. It was at that point that they decided to let me in on some of their secrets.

"You gotta watch the little things," one of them informed.

The little things, eh? Such as?

"Like, for example," he leaned closer, "the hands ... they say a lot."

Again, instincts took over and self-consciously I glanced at my hands.

"Don't worry, you know your hands look good, or I wouldn't even be talking to you."

Gee, thanks. Tell me more.

"And you've got to watch the feet, too."

Oh, come on. Men don't really look at that stuff, do they? I mean, Playboy has never done a "Hands of the Big Ten" or "Ivy League Feet" issue.

"Yes," said the ex-Navy man. "See, girls can fake us out with a lot of make-up and cute clothes. But whether or not a lady really takes care of herself is important."

Just then, a girl I thought was pretty and had a nice figure walked past. Tight dress, high heels ... just what men look for, right?

"She looked cheap, didn't she, man?" one Girl Watcher said to the other.

I began to understand. Men's eyes may follow tight dresses and plunging cleavage, but their hearts follow - quality.

Time to face the truths

Well, school was over. I slipped my plastic cup into a wastebasket and headed for the door. Last time I saw "the wise men," they were staking out some older women, mumbling, "They're old, but they got money."

Window shopping as I passed through Atlanta's Underground, I gazed at dresses that could be sexy without being too revealing.

And when I got back to South Florida, I got a pedicure, manicure and facial. After all, I have a New Year's Eve party to attend. And I plan to have the proper accessories.